Objective Assessment of Perilymphatic Fistula in Cases of Postoperative Vertigo after Cochlear Implantation by Cochlin Tomoprotein (CTP).

OBJECTIVE

Vertigo is a quite frequent complication after cochlear implantation. Perilymphatic fistula (PLF) is assumed to be one cause of this problem. Cochlin tomoprotein (CTP) is a newly introduced marker for PLF. The present aim was to evaluate the rate of positive CTP testing in cases of newly occurring vertigo after cochlear implantation.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Twelve patients with vertigo after cochlear implantation and a revisional electrode-sealing procedure underwent intraoperative rinsing of their middle ear. The sample was evaluated for CTP with monoclonal antibody testing. Sixteen controls from six CI patients were taken.

RESULTS

4 out of 12 (33%) cases showed positive CTP testing, indicating that a PLF could be evaluated. In all of the positive CTP cases, surgery decreased the vertigo symptoms. A relation between the subjective visual assessment of a fistula and a positive CTP value was not observed. Controls confirmed the value of the testing.

DISCUSSION: CTP detection objectively shows that PLF can occur in patients with vertigo after CI.